Elementary school-age children with developmental disorders are more likely to have allergic diseases, according to a study published in Pediatrics International. Researchers assessed the prevalence of allergic diseases in elementary school-age children with developmental disorders by grade and sex. The analysis included 446 lower-grade and 312 upper-grade elementary school-age children. Prevalence of allergic diseases was significantly higher in lower-grade boys and girls with developmental disorders versus those without developmental disorders (ORs, 3.22 and 3.87 for boys and girls, respectively). Similar results were seen for
higher-grade boys with developmental disorders versus those without (OR, 3.46). Among children in lower grades, ADHD correlated with bronchial asthma (adjusted OR, 3.72), while autism spectrum disorder correlated with atopic dermatitis (adjusted OR, 4.26). For children in the upper grades, ADHD correlated with atopic dermatitis (adjusted OR, 5.06). “Understanding the relationship between developmental disorders and allergic diseases may lead to better medical care for both diseases,” the study authors wrote.
